Edward "Ed" Paul, Jr., 83, a resident of Franklin, LA passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 1:45 AM at his residence.

Edward was a Veteran of the United States Air Force receiving an Honorable Discharge.

Visitation will be observed on Tuesday September 19, 2017 from 8:00 AM until a rosary being recited at 9:45 AM at the St Jules Catholic Church in Franklin, LA. Tributes will follow the recitation of the rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM. Entombment will follow mass services in the Mausoleum Section of the Perpetual Park Cemetery in Franklin, LA.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marva Ricardo Paul, his parents, Edward Paul Sr. and Lydia Dardar; four brothers, Adam, Edwin, Cloy, and Dean; five sisters, Bernice Hogan, Gloria McClarty, Leatha Barard, Myrtle Verdun, and Hazel Poplus.

“…With every privilege comes a corresponding responsibility.”

Edward Paul Jr. was born to Edward Paul Sr. and Lydia Dardar on June 13, 1934 in New Orleans, LA. He was the youngest child of eleven. He had four brothers and six sisters. Though he spent some of his childhood years in New Orleans, still when a young boy he moved to this area and under the guidance of Richard “Pop” McClarty he learned to hunt, trap, cut trees, and do plumbing work. With limited formal education, he was passionate about mastering the English language, being well read in the Classics and studying great philosophers. As a young man he moved to California and joined the United States Air Force. During that time his duty station was in Morocco, a place he had great love for. He learned some Arabic and spoke it with his children from time to time. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force. After living in California for a while he moved back to Franklin, LA where he met Marva Ricardo, his wife of 55 years. To that union 3 children were born, Karla Patrice, Raphael Sean, and Marla Letitia. He worked as a janitor at Hanson Memorial High School during the time when it was not integrated. He often spoke of engaging the young men in philosophical and religious debate under the trees. Edward later became an employee of the City of Franklin. He retired from Atlantic Richfield Oil Company as one of the first Black employees and supervisors after a career of greater than 25 years. He was an enduring fighter for equal justice and was one of Franklin’s first civil rights activists. Of his many accomplishments he and his cohorts, Father McKnight and Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Broussard, were instrumental in planning and laying the groundwork for what would become Teche Action Clinic. He helped to integrate the local retail stores, most notably West Brothers, and the Teche Theater. In the first St. Jules Catholic Church he defied the color barrier and was defamed for it. He was among a small group of local Black men who established the first local chapter of the NAACP. He spent many a weary and dangerous night organizing and rallying for the basic civil rights of Black people.

He was an excellent cook and he enjoyed it most when he cooked for his family’s gatherings whether large or small. The recipes for his famous Gumbo and Pork Roast he took with him to his grave. Not many could top the tender and tedious care he gave to his lawn and landscape. It seemed with his green thumb he grew anything he put in the ground or in a pot. He got the nickname Bishop because of his prowess at the chess board. He has beaten many formidable competitors. He was an avid reader; he quoted Shakespeare and demanded that his children kept up with current social, political, and cultural issues of the day.

His family being Catholic he grew up in the Catholic Church, became a member of St. Jules Catholic Church and worked diligently as a member of The Knights of St. Peter Claver, Court 131 until his health failed him. He continued to receive communion until death. He was proud to be acknowledged as a member of the United Houma Indian Nation in 2005.

Edward peacefully passed from this life at his home on September 12, 2017, Marva’s birthday, with his long-time friend and caregiver, Gary Phillips and his grandson “Petie” Vappie tending to him.

“It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them, but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them” - Anonymous